Paul Loring, 92 years old, (Second from Left) is Surrounded by Family Members This Afternoon Following the Raising of the Irish Flag at the Loring Memorial Park.  Behind the Loring Family is the Irish Flag Flying High Beside the American Flag.

East End Beach off Cutter Street will be the Site of a Polar Plunge Spnosored by Ri Ra Irish Pub 72 Commercial Street.

Paul Loring, 92, at the Loring Memorial Park This Afternoon That He was Instrumental in Establishing in Memory of His Late Brother, US Air Force Major and Fighter Pilot Charles J. Loring, Jr.  For More Information, Please visit Posts herein Dated May 10, 2020, November 11, 2021.and May 16, 2009.

Just after noon today a wing of the large Loring family watched as the Irish flag was raised at the Loring Memorial Circle at the corner of North Street and the Eastern Promenade on Munjoy HIll.  Earlier in the day, at 11:00 am. a similar Irish flag raising ceremony occurred at the Portland Observatory on Congress Street. It was also attended by members of the Loring family. Both events  were part  of the two day celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day happening all over Portland.

On St. Patrick’s Day itself a polar plunge will happen at the East End Beach on the Hill.  That event happens at 5:30 am and is sponsored by RiRa Irish Pub, 72 Commercial Street. It’s to benefit Portland Firefighters Burn Victims.

The annual Irish American Club parade begins tomorrow at noon at the Portland Fish Pier parking lot.  Participants are to gather in the same location at 11;00 am .  Costumes with Irish bling and lots of green are strongly encourged for the parade and for parade watchers as well.  Bicycles are not welcome, however, to participate in the parade.

Following the hour long Parade, there will be an Open House for all at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray Street, Portland.   That starts at 1:00 pm.  There will be an afternoon of live music, great food, family fun and a cash bar.

Dressed in green from head to toe for  St. Patrick’s Day were Karen and Jim Kelley, from Raleigh, North Carolina.  The two who have visited Portland previously said they were here looking for some snow.  They were disappointed not to find any.  Both Republicans, Jim said he had voted for Trump  in the past.  But he would not vote forTrump this November.  “I like his policies, but I don’t llke what comes out of his mouth,” Jim said.

This blogger doesn’t like either Trump;s  policies or what comes out of his beyond obnoxious mouth/,